BMKG: North Sumatra Enters Peak Of Second Rainy Season

Medan, 1/10 (ANTARA) - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Region I Medan has estimated that the North Sumatera Province has entered the peak of the second rainy season, likely to conclude in November 2012. "From October until late November, North Sumatera has entered the peak of the rainy season," Head of Data Services and Information of BMKG Region I Medan, Hendra Suwarta said in Medan on Monday. According to Suwarta, at the peak of the rainy season North Sumatera will have more rainfall compared to previous months. Based on observation, more rainfall is predicted in the afternoons, until the evenings. With the increased rainfall, the public was reminded to increase levels of alertness to notify authorities over the possibility of floods and landslides, especially in the highlands. Heavy rainfall has been predicted towards areas on the west coast of North Sumatera, such as Central Tapanuli, Mandailing Nataal and Dan Sibolga City. He added that due to the increased rainfall, the temperature in North Sumatera is expected to decline with a maximum temperature of 33 degrees celsius. The condition is caused by the rain, which eases local heating and the cloud cover blocks the sun`s rays from penetrating the atmosphere. However, BMKG Region I Medan estimated that the threat of a potential tornado still exists despite a reduction in velocity levels. "Last month, the wind speed was 30 knots (about 54 km per hour). Now, it is 25 knots (45 km per hour)," he said.